Harmony Land | Review by Skimuraki Zin

The trail stretches along the Gokase River gorge, flanked by towering cliffs dozens of meters high, made of columnar basalt formed when lava from Mount Aso's eruptions cooled. The finely detailed patterns running vertically along the rock walls look as if they were carved with knives and axes, revealing the magnificent power of nature shaped over millions of years. As you walk through, sunlight filters through the lush green canopy and falls on the clear, emerald-green water. Surrounded by rugged boulders and dense trees, with the faint roar of flowing water in the background, every step feels like walking through a painting.

After crossing the rustic and elegant Shinbashi Bridge, you reach Takimidai, the main observation point along the trail. From here, you get a wider, more complete view of Manai Falls—the pure white stream drops straight through a gap in the cliffs like a ribbon of white silk into the deep green pool below. Even from a distance, you can still feel its surging power and the remote, mystical atmosphere of this land of legends. Looking down at the gorge, usually filled with sightseeing boats, the absence of boats at that time instead gave it a more pristine and tranquil beauty.

Two weeks earlier, I had gotten up right on time specifically to book a boat ride at Takachiho Gorge and was lucky enough to get one of the tickets that sold out in seconds. I've been to Kyushu several times, but Takachiho Gorge was the one place I had never visited. I was looking forward to rowing through the magnificent gorge toward Manai Falls and feeling the spray from the 17-meter-high waterfall beside me.

Unexpectedly, the day before departure, I was notified that the water level was too high and the boat rides had been canceled. It was a little disappointing, but every trip leaves you with a reason to come back next time.

Oiyamanara in front of Kushida Shrine

Oiyamanara begins at Kushida Shrine, Hakata’s guardian shrine. Men in traditional attire carry floats weighing over a ton and race through the streets, shouting “Oisa! Oisa!” The event symbolizes prayers for safety and protection from misfortune and disease, while showcasing Hakata’s strong sense of teamwork.

With more than 760 years of history, this festival is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan and is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. It’s one of Fukuoka’s most exhilarating summer traditions.

Tadao Ando perfectly buries the entire building beneath the hillside, leaving only geometric courtyards and skylights exposed. Walking through the stark geometric lines of the exposed concrete, everything is illuminated solely by natural light flowing freely with the time of day and the weather.

When I stepped into the Monet Water Lilies gallery, the pure white floor beneath my feet—made of tens of thousands of small marble pieces—and the natural light pouring down from above made the paintings, the space, and nature feel completely unified. It was so breathtaking I almost held my breath.

This is not just a place to look at paintings, but a profound dialogue between the body, space, light, and shadow.